Dale Parson is the CEO of KPL Group Ltd, a diversified group in the Manufacturing and Distribution Industry in Paints, Adhesives, and Brewery/Beverage products. Mr. Parson holds a BSc in Engineering and an MSc in Strategic Leadership and Management from the University of the West Indies.
He is currently completing his PhD in Business Administration with concentration in Marketing. Mr. Parson is a member of Board of Engineers of Trinidad and Tobago (BOETT) and Association of Professional Engineers of Trinidad and Tobago (APETT). As the Chief Executive Officer of a regionally recognized privately held organization. Mr. Parson has acquired extensive knowledge and experience in manufacturing, competitiveness, international trade, management, international business operations and strategic planning. His background provides the TTMA board with a broad scope of expertise in the manufacturing industry particularly in strategic planning, trade agreement negotiations and competitiveness.
Mr. Parson is currently is the Chair of the TTMA’s Infrastructure Committee (formerly Transport and Logistics) and current Vice President at TTMA.
Emil Ramkissoon is an Executive Director at New Wave Marketing Ltd. Apart from his directorship portfolio, he heads the company’s Export and Import department, which is responsible for international procurement and distribution. Mr Ramkissoon previously served as the Chairman of TTMA’s Covid-19 Vaccination Site and Corporate Secretary to the board of directors. He is currently the Chair of TTMA's Legislative Committee and the Vice-Chair of the Export Marketing Committee.
Mr. Ramkissoon is an Attorney-at-Law with experience in Corporate and Commercial transactions and the Conveyance of Properties. He completed his Bachelor of Law LL.B (Hons.) at BPP University Law School and subsequently attained his Legal Practice at the University of Westminster, London. In 2017, he returned to the twin isle and commenced his conversion attachment at the firm of Pollonais, Blanc, de la Bastide and Jacelon, where he was admitted to practice law in the Supreme Court of Trinidad and Tobago. Upon joining the family entrepreneurship of over 35 years, he furthered his studies by completing a Master of Business Administration MBA at Nova Southeastern University, Florida.
Mr. Ramkissoon is also a Director of the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards and was re-appointed for a consecutive term as an Alternate Director to the National Insurance Board of Trinidad and Tobago (NIBTT). He previously served as a Director of the Caribbean Water and Wastewater Association.
Born into a family whose Business started in 1928 (93 years ago) and the holder of a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from Ryerson University in Canada, majoring in Business Management/Minor in Marketing, supported with a Diploma from Seneca College in Canada in Business Administration. Barry Fakoory has become an Authority in the Food Packaging Industry but has gained tremendous experience working in manufacturing, distribution, and offshore services for the petrochemical industry. When it comes to making decisions Barry’s passion for truth overrides the possibility that the decision may not work in his favour. He is thorough and his appetite to learn and explore in limitless.
He is currently the Chair of Standing Committee and is also a member of the Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards Committee currently developing a National Standard for Biodegradable Materials for Food Contact Products and Packaging. He also sits on the TTBS National Mirror Committee overseeing the development of the Regional Standard for Biodegradable Materials for Food Contact Products and Packaging. He has a certificate in the Principles of Waste Reduction, Recycling and Solid Waste Management from the SBCS and a certificate in Creating a Circular Economy in Trinidad and Tobago from the University of the West Indies. Barry is a Director at Floors WD Limited and Fakoory and Company Limited, but his day-to-day responsibilities lie primarily in the Research and Development of Sustainable Packaging for VF Packaging Ltd where he is the Sales Director. He has overseen the company’s process in attaining internationally recognised certification from the Biodegradable Products Institute to manufacture Certified Compostable/Biodegradable Products for the region.
Jonathan Garcia is the Deputy Managing Director of Christle Limited, a local, long-standing and family-owned Manufacturing Company. Jonathan is well known for his strong business acumen, operational expertise and strategic marketing skills. He has over twenty (20) years of experience in Manufacturing Sector and has been a Director of Christle Limited since 2008.
With a background in Business Management, Mr. Garcia was recently appointed to oversee Christle Limited’s export sales. Furthermore, he is a member of the TTMA’s Export Marketing committee, Membership committee and Infrastructure committee. He is also passionate about trade, often dedicating extra effort to developing new export relationships within the CARICOM region.
Under Mr. Jonathan Garcia’s stewardship, Christle Limited won the TTMA’s Trade Mission Champion Award 2023 as well as the Small Manufacturer of the Year 2022. Following this, he also won the Small Manufacturer of the Year 2023 as well as Small New Market Entrant 2023.
Mr. Clint Villafana is a seasoned professional with over 20 years’ experience in Export, Sales and Marketing combined within the Manufacturing sector. He is the Vice President Export Sales (Caribbean, Latin America, Europe & USA) at S.M. Jaleel & Company Limited.
Mr. Villafana has spearheaded the introduction and expansion of subsidiaries and the S.M. Jaleel & Company brand in various markets throughout the region, resulting in the overall growth for the company both in volume and revenue over the past ten years. Through his oversight of the Export department, he led the company in winning the 2019 / 2020 Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA) Award for Exporter of the Year and New Market Entrant.
Mr. Villafana holds a Master of Business Administration, a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Minor in Marketing from Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Mr. Villafana is also the Vice-Chair of the Export Marketing committee as well as a Director on the Board of Directors of the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA).
Sana is currently the General Manager, Retail and Commercial at First Citizens. She formerly held positions of Group Chief Risk Officer and General Manager of First Citizens Investment Services. She has over 20 years’ experience in investment banking including more than 3 years’ experience with a large international investment banker. During her career, she has accumulated extensive experience in the international and regional banking and securities markets.
Sana has served on the Board of TTMA since 2020 and is a prior Board member of American Chamber of Commerce of Trinidad & Tobago from 2016 to 2020, and a prior member of the Board of Directors of the Securities Dealers Association of Trinidad and Tobago from 2011 to 2015. She is a current member of the CFA Society of Trinidad and Tobago and the international CFA Institute.
Sana obtained a Masters in Business Administration from Columbia Business School in New York and is also a Chartered Financial Analyst. She earned her Bachelors in Science from the University of the West Indies in Chemistry/Management where she graduated with First Class Honours. Ms. Ragbir is the current Chair of TTMA’s Finance and Audit Committee .
Rudy Rampersad is not just the Vice President of Regional Initiatives at Ramps Logistics Ltd., but he is an enterprising and inspiring leader in the global supply chain and logistics sector. As the youngest of his siblings, Rudy embarked on his professional journey after earning a BSc in Business Management from the University of the West Indies. This path allowed him to channel his technical expertise and operational passion towards the growth and development of Ramps, steering the company towards new horizons of technology and innovation.
In addition to his corporate role, Rudy is a dedicated director on the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers' Association board. He contributes valuable insights to the Standing and Infrastructure Committees and plans to use this influential position to promote local industries on an international scale, enhancing their recognition and competitiveness. Rudy is known for his charismatic approach to relationship-building and strategic planning. His Guyana Oil and Gas Chamber board position underscores his commitment to fostering growth and development within the Guyanese energy industry. By leveraging his ability to cultivate strong partnerships, Rudy creates opportunities for international companies to contribute to the local landscape.
A travel and food enthusiast, Rudy's wide-ranging interests allow him to gain new perspectives that he ingeniously applies to his professional realm. Beyond that, his deep commitment to community development is evident in his investment in youth and sports initiatives. By empowering young people and promoting sports, Rudy supports the development of particular skill sets so these individuals can now represent their country internationally. His holistic approach to leadership underlines his belief in the importance of balance between professional success and social contribution.
Mr. Dookeran is currently the Chief Executive Officer at the Export-Import Bank of Trinidad and Tobago (EXIMBANK). He is also a member of the Legislative committee of the Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association (TTMA).
Prior to this, he was a Lecturer and Programme Director – Executive MBA & Chief Operating Officer - Practicums at the UWI-Arthur Lok Jack Global School of Business. He obtained his MBA in Finance from the McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, and received Bachelor’s Degrees in Economics (BA) and Life Sciences (BSc.) from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
His early career began at the Development Finance Limited and he later moved to the RBC Financial Group in Toronto, Canada, where he held the portfolio of Commercial Relationship Manager. His experience in finance continued at Manulife Bank and Trust (Canada) as Director in Lending Services and then as the AVP/Head of Credit Risk Management, where he continued to deepen his experience in banking strategy, operations, service delivery and credit risk management.
Mr. Pradeep Subrian is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Blue Waters Products Limited since January 2nd 2020. Pradeep has been with the company for the past 15 years, initially joining as Commercial Director and moving up the ranks to the post of Chief Operating Officer (COO) and then CEO. During his tenure, Pradeep has been an integral part of driving the company’s vision, ensuring that the company’s core values are
permeated through the company and implementing processes, structures, systems and corporate governance framework that have been instrumental in earning Blue Waters the recognitions as TTMA’s Manufacturer of the Year twice, Deloitte’s Best Managed company twice and Supermarkets Association’s Distributor of the Year for several years.
Pradeep has a wealth of regional and international industry experience, having held various strategic and operation portfolios at companies such as; Coca Cola, Neal & Massy, Carib Brewery, Heineken Brewery and Grell & Company Limited. His outstanding performance and leadership competence earned him the title of Employee of the Year at two of his previous employers. Pradeep also serves as a Director of Blue Waters, St. Lucia and has served as a Director at the National Insurance Board (NIB) for 2 years. Pradeep is a graduate of the University of West Indies, St. Augustine (UWI). In the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) programme through UWI attended by students from more than 80 countries around the globe, Pradeep was awarded the
gold medal for 1st place winner.
Mr. Johnny Ramjeawan is the Group Chief Operating Officer of the Associated Brands (Investments) Limited Group of Companies. He also serves as Chief Executive Officer of the Sunshine Snacks Division and Executive Group Director. His tenure at ABIL started in
2000 and previous to his current portfolio he was the Group Chief Financial Officer.
Prior to moving to the ABIL Group, Mr. Ramjeawan began his career at
ricewaterhouseCoopers where he spent 10 years and attained Manager of Financial Services. Mr. Ramjeawan holds an MBA from Harriot Watt University and is also a Fellow of the Associated of Chartered Certified Accountants.
Marcus Sun Kow joined his family business Fresh Start Limited, in 2004. Sun Kow brought his innate entrepreneurial ability and fresh perspective to the business and accelerated its evolution from a small manufacturer of local fruit juice concentrates and ice lollies being sold from his father’s pick up in the Port of Spain Central Market, to a mechanized manufacturer of ready to drink juices and concentrates with an expanded flavour offering. Upon completion of his bachelor’s degree, Marcus officially assumed the role of Managing Director. His vision for the company charted its success which led to the company being selected as the TTMA Small Manufacturer of the Year Award in 2014 and Marcus earning a finalist place as EY’s Emerging Entrepreneur. Through Marcus’ leadership, Fresh Start has transitioned into a customized manufacturing facility to help keep up with growing demand.
Through his vision and leadership, Fresh Start Limited has established itself as a stalwart in the highly competitive beverage market and continues to differentiate its brand, quickly gaining market share. This innovative leader hopes to be a large exporter one day, taking indigenous Caribbean products and flavours to the rest of the world. His philanthropic efforts are focused on the youth and promoting environmental conservation. Marcus is driven by a desire to improve the local environment for all manufacturers and local entrepreneurs and has served as director on the Boards of YBTT and ADB. He has been selected as a speaker for numerous events for aspiring businesspersons and has brought his experience, knowledge, and sound advice, giving entrepreneurs the solid foundation needed at that pivotal stage of their careers. He also sits on various Boards of NGOs, and public and private companies.
Rajiv Devin Ragoonanan now serves as the Head of Group Brands at ACADO Ltd, while also overseeing Group Business Development and Product Innovation. With over a decade of extensive experience in the Food and Beverage industry across the Caribbean, he has played a pivotal role in driving regional growth initiatives.
Rajiv has demonstrated exceptional leadership in spearheading successful projects, including the introduction of new products and the expansion into emerging markets throughout the region.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in Chemical and Process Engineering, along with a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering. His expertise spans multiple areas, including Operations Management, Product Development, Market Expansion, Sales and Marketing, Franchise Brand Management, and Logistics. Rajiv’s proven track record of success ensures that he will bring the same level of excellence to TTMA and serve as a valuable asset to your board, offering a wealth of experience and insights.
Kris Sadal is an executive Director at Pepe’s Marketing Ltd, a family-owned enterprise in the commodities sector. Mr. Sadal has been with Pepes for over 12 years and has spearheaded many initiatives over the years including design and implementation of an ERP system, complete reconstruction of the organizational chart bringing many changes to procedures and processes and development and implementation of 5 year export program to name a few.
With a specialization in export operations, Mr. Sadal plays a pivotal role in expanding the business’s regional footprint, fostering regional partnerships, and ensuring seamless logistical coordination. In addition to leading export initiatives, Mr. Sadal oversees critical areas such as IT, Sales and Marketing, and Human Resources. Their multidisciplinary approach ensures that each department is aligned with the company’s strategic vision, driving innovation, customer engagement, and team development across all fronts.
Mr. Sadal holds a master’s degree in leadership and management from York University, London, equipping him with advanced skills in organizational leadership and strategic planning. His academic background, coupled with practical expertise, allows him to navigate the complexities of a family business while balancing tradition with forward-thinking strategies.
Dr. Kishara Maraj is the CEO and Director of Maraj Air Conditioning Ltd. (Trinidad), Maraj Air Conditioning Guyana Inc., and MAC Learning Center. With a strong academic background, including a BSc in Medical Science (2016) and an MBBS with Distinction (2018), Dr. Maraj initially worked at the Port of Spain General Hospital before transitioning into business leadership in 2022.
As CEO of Maraj Air Conditioning, she has driven significant growth, expanding the company to include manufacturing air conditioning supplies and cleaning agents. In 2024, she opened a new location in Marabella and launched MAC Learning Center, which offers educational programs to develop the workforce in the Caribbean.
Dr. Maraj is recognized for her innovative leadership and dedication to both business and community development, positioning herself as a key figure in the healthcare and business sectors.
Gordon Dalgliesh currently holds the title of Foreign Business Director for the SCL group of companies. He currently oversees all of SCL’s exports as well as their operations in Guyana and Jamaica. His past experience in the production department gave him an in depth knowledge of raw material inputs and their supply chains while developing and streamlining some of SCL’s manufacturing processes.
Mr. Dalgliesh has also been serving on the TTMA Export Marketing committee since 2021 and recently joined the Standing committee for Trade and Related matters. He remains an advocate for manufacturing and strives to help the sector grow in Trinidad and Tobago.
